Researchers: Liat Ayalon¹, Ateret Gewirt-Meydan¹, Inbar Levkovich²

Background: Sexual satisfaction and function are rarely discussed in primary care or with other expert physicians.
How physicians perceive and manage later life sexual problems in Israel remains relatively unexplored and, in particular, little is known about the attitudes of physicians towards older adult’s sexuality

Objectives: This study aimed to explore perspectives on the dynamics between physicians and older patients regarding sexual concerns and to better understand barriers to open discussion of sexual issues between older adults and their physicians. A particular focus was placed on ways these barriers can be overcome and additional outlets pursued by older adults to address their sexual concerns.

Method: In-depth interviews were conducted among physicians (n=38), including primary care providers, gynecologists, urologists, and physicians (sexologists).
We also conducted in-depth interviews with older patients (>65 years) who obtain services from these providers (n=47).

Findings: Although older people indicate sexuality is an important aspect of their life, this topic is rarely discussed within the primary care setting. Many physicians (and patients) hold narrowed definition for “sex” and when treating older patients, they base their diagnosis and treatment methods on the biological model.

Conclusions: This study identified a low level of awareness of later life sexual health issues among physicians, inhibitions to raise this topic and a biomedical approach dominating the line of treatment of sexual problems presented by older people

Policy Implications Possible: acknowledge the heterogeneity of later life sexual and the benefits of implying a bio-psycho-social approach to treating older adult’s’ sexual problems. Physicians need to be more responsive to individual needs and develop personal awareness towards their own misconceptions, biases stereotypes of older people’s sexuality.

Research end date: 11/2018